Valve



API 2, 1935. J. scHuLTz E-r AL l 1,996,351

VALVE4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 23, 1932 murllmunllmnnm INVENToRa Patented Apr. 2, 1935 'I STATS VALVE Application December 23, 1932, Serial No. 648,665

8 Claims.

The invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in operating means for reciprocating valves, more particularly to such means as applied to quick opening self-closing valves which are frequently employedin locations where cent obstructions, such as pipes, beams, columns or the like.

The-invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of a valve and the operating means therefor.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation showing alternative connections between bracket and valve stem.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the bracket.

Fig. 4 is a. bottom plan view thereof.

the

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional elevation showing' a modified type of supporting bracket.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing alternative applications of the lever.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the base of the bracket.

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of the link associated with the bracket.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the operating handle or lever.

Referring to the drawings, l indicates the shell or casing of a quick opening self-closing valve of standard form', said casing being provided with a tubular neck 2, which is externally screw threaded and in which the stem -3 of the valve operates.

Surrounding the neck of the valve casing is the annular base 6 of a bracket 5, the body portion of which is substantially parallel with the valve stem and is provided at its end with ears 'i adapted to receive pivot pin 2i. The bracket is adjustable about the neck 2 of the valve casing and is clamped in any o-f its Various positions of rotary adjustment by the set nut 8 engaging the threads on the neck.

The outer end of the valve stem 3 has secured thereto a cap lil having spaced ears i2 adapted to receive pivot pin 22. The cap is provided with a socket ll somewhat larger in diameter than the end o1" the valve stem, which latter is preferably rounded` to 'form a rocking engagement with the bottom of thesocket, the stem being connected to the cap by means of pin I3, so that the cap is free to rock to a limited extent on the end of the valve stem.

The means for operating the valve consists of a lever i5, which is curved throughout its length and is provided at one end with longitudinally spaced eyes i6 and ll and having both of its edges between said eyes recessed or concaved as at i3 and i9 and also having its con cave edge adjacent the inner eye i6 recessed or concaved as at 26. This particular construction of the operating handle lor lever` l5 admits of the same being connected to the eared end` of the bracket and to the eared' cap yon the end of the valve stem in the Various positions indicated in Figs. l and 2. As shown in full lines in Fig. 1,` the handle acts as alever 4of the first class extending laterally and away from the valve casing at substantially right angles to the valve stem. As indicated in dotted lines, the handle has been reversed, but still operates as a lever of the lrst class with its body portion extending toward the valve casing in the general direction of the valve stem. In Fig. 2, the handle l5 is shown in its alternative connection with the bracket and the valve stem, namely, as a lever of the second class, the eye li being pivoted to the bracket 5 and the inner eye i6 pivoted to the cap i6. In the full line showing, the lever i5 extends laterally and toward the valve casing, and like the lever shown in full lines in Fig. 1 is disposed at substantially right angles to the valve stem. In the dotted position shown in Fig. 2, the lever has been reversed or turned over and extends laterally and away from the valve casing in the general direction of the valve stem. It is evident, therefore, that the handle is capable of application alternatively as a lever of the rst or second class and also reversely as a lever of either class, so that it is susceptible of being disposed in four angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem and, inasmuch as the bracket is capable of being rotatively adjusted about the neck of the Valve casing, the handle may be applied in any of its four angular adjustments relative to the Valve stem in any position of circular adjustmentsuabout the axis of the valve stem as a center. It is apparent, therefore, that the handle is capable of a very large number of adjustments, in order to 'enable it to pass adjacent obstructions, such as pipes, beams, columns or the like.

In the modication shown in Figs. 5 to 9. the

bracket comprises an lannular base portion 6' adapted to be clamped to the neck of the valve casing by set nut 8, and is provided with ears to which is pivoted eye 1 of a link 1', the outer end of which is finished with a clevis or double eye 1 carrying pivot pin 2|'. With this particular construction of the bracket, it is feasible to attach the cap l0 to the end of the valve stem by means of threaded socket Il' engaging threads on the end of the stem, so that the cap is rigidly secured to the stem, the'link 1' permitting the necessary swinging movement between the pivots 2| and 22' to prevent lateral strain on the valve stem, when the valve is operated in either direction. In all other respects, the construction and mode of operation is the same as those described in connection with the first modification, the handle or lever being adapted to be alternatively and reversely connected to the bracket and to the cap on the valve stem and also to be rotated to any desired position of adjustment about the longitudinal axis of the valve stem as a center.

As clearly shown in the drawings, the longitudinal curvature of the lever and the rotary adjustability of the lever about the axis of the valve stem admits of it being disposed in many positions of adjustment to clear adjacent obstructions and the provision of the concavities or recesses in the lateral edges of the lever adjacent the eyes enables this portion of the lever to clear adjacent portions of the cap and the bracket in all positions of adjustment of the lever.

What we claim is:

l. A valve including a casing, a reciprocating valve stem, a bracket mounted on the casing, and a longitudinally curved valve operating lever, said bracket and stem respectively having portions pivotally connected to longitudinally spaced portions of the lever, each of said portions being formed to permit the lever to be pivotally connected to the stem and bracket in reverse positions and the curvature of said lever being such that the lever extends at substantially right angles to the stem when connected thereto in one position and extends generally in the direction of the stem when connected thereto in reverse position.

2. A valve including a casing, a reciprocating valve stem, a bracket mounted on the casing, a valve operating lever curved in substantially the same direction from one end thereof to the other, said lever having longitudinally spaced portions respectively adapted to be pivotally connected to the bracket and stem and to the stem and bracket whereby said lever may selectively serve as a lever of the ilrst class and as a lever of the second class, the curvature of said lever being such that the lever extends away from the valve casing in the general direction of the stem when serving as a lever of one class and extends toward the valve casing in the general direction of the valve stem when serving as a lever of the other class.

3. A valve including a casing, a reciprocating valve stem, a bracket mounted on the casing, and an elongated valve operating lever having its longitudinal side edges respectively concaved and convexed for substantially the entire length thereof, said lever being provided with longitudinally spaced eyes at one end thereof for respectively receiving means adapted to pivotally connect the lever to the stem and bracket, the convexed edge of said lever being recessed intermediate said eyes and the concaved edge thereof being recessed on opposite sides of the inner one of said eyes whereby said lever may be pivotally connected to the bracket and stein in reverse positions so as to selectively extend at substantially right angles to the stem and in the general direction of the latter.

4. In a valve of the class described, a casing having a tubular neck, a valve stem reciprocably mounted in said neck, an eared cap loosely engaging the outer end of the stern, a bracket having an annular base secured to the neck and an eared outer end, means for clamping the bracket to the neck, a longitudinally curved lever having longitudinally spaced eyes at one end adapted to be connected to the eared cap and the eared end of the bracket in alternative and reverse positions relative thereto, and pivot pins to eifect the connections.

5. A valve including a easing having a tubular neck, a reciprocating valve stem extending through said neck, a cap having a face in rocking 'engagement with the stem for communicating movement to the latter in a direction for opening the valve, means for retaining the cap in assembled relation to the stem and permitting said cap to angle with respect to the stem, a bracket adapted to be clamped to said neck for rotary adjustment about the axis of the stem and having a rigid arm extending substantially parallel to the latter, and a valve operating lever pivotally connected to said cap and arm.

6. A valve including a casing having a tubular neck, a reciprocating valve stem extending through said neck, a cap having a socket portion fitting over the outer end of the stem, said socket being of greater size than the portion of the stem extending therein to permit the cap to angle with respect to the stem and having an end wall in rocking engagement with said end of the stem, a bracket mounted on said casing having a rigid extension adjacent said cap, and a valve operating lever pivotally connected to said extension and to said cap. y

'7. A valve including a casing having a tubular neck, a reciprocating valve stem extending through said neck, a cap having a socket portion fitting over the outer end of the stem, said socket being of greater size than the portion of the stem extending therein to permit the cap to angle with respect to the stem and having an end wall for rocking engagement with said end of the stem, a bracket mounted on said casing having an eared outer end and a valve operating lever having spaced eyes at one end permitting the lever to be pivotally connected to said eared end and cap in a plurality of positions.

8. A valve including a casing, a reciprocating valve stem, a bracket mounted on the casing, and a longitudinally curved valve operating lever adapted to be connected to said stem and bracket so that its concave side faces either toward said casing or away from said casing, said bracket and stem respectively being pivotally connected to longitudinally spaced portions 'of the lever and said lever having a plurality of eyes permitting the lever to be pivotally connected to the stern and bracket in a-plurality of positions, the curvature of said lever being such that the lever extends at substantially right angles to the stem when connected thereto in one of said positions, and extends generally in the direction of the stem when connected thereto in another of said positions.

JOSEPH SCHULTZ. PETER JOSEPH TICKEY. 

